Programmes in need

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,1971225,00.html

OFCOM is to allow TV station to run fund-raising telethons for channels to raise money for causes which are close to their heart - yes, themselves!

Stations will be able to raise money to put into making better programmes - and therefore directly rip-off the consumer rather than dedicating half their schedules to Quiz TV!

OFCOM believes it will help niche channels such as religious, ethnic minority or community focused stations produce better programming and raise between £50,000 and £150,000 a year.

And although they don't think it'll benefit the "big players" much, they estimated C4 could raise nearly £2m a year - but I can't see them begging for money myself!


So a sensible idea - or proof that OFCOM has finally gone completly insane?

or proof that OFCOM has finally gone completly insane?

that it! there have! you can just see ITV jumping on the bandwagin!

So are we talking about a system like PBS do in America? To be honest if it's handled the same way as PBS do it, then it could be a good thing. A lot of decent programming has been made on PBS.

I mean surely the people who are going to be the type of people to donate to such an appeal would be the kind of people who DON'T like the likes of reality TV? Well at least in the stereotypical sense.

If the programme is good enough though the revenue can be raised through advertising, subscription and sponsorship.


Although alot of these smaller channels are actually free on digital satellite, to most Sky subscribers they are seen as part of the deal - and I don't think many would be willing to seemingly pay twice for the content!


It is typhical OFCOM really - dealing with an issue which really nobody is that bothered about (like the PSB idea before it!) - and ignoring the realities of the problems that really do exist!

We have a PBS channel here it called the BBC and we already pay them to give us great programmes!

Channels like TBS and GOD already have fundraising programmes for their organisations.

In my opinion it's more a case of OFCOM just allowing something that should have been permitted for years now anyway. Note that allowing something to take place is not the same as endorsing or promoting it.

If a TV station thinks it can derive revenue from the begging bowl, why not let them? And let market forces decide whether or not it is viable just like anything else.

One thing I've been meaning to ask for ages- why do you always write "there" instead of "they"?

Does this mean the God channels can now offer to save your soul for a donation of £1000?

because the High school, college did not each us about Grammer! there teach us about the english,

if there went back to 50's 60's Education like in "that i'll teach them, that proved that the system has got it wrong,

There, They, the one I can;t remember!

I just don;t know which one which!

Wasn't there controversy over this, because in the U.S.A., a few operators of 'religious' channels were in actual fact conman?

Surely you're either

(A) Dyslexic (or similar). In which case, that's okay then.

Or (B) you're just plain crap, at spelling and gramm a r.